Nurseries not set for breastfeeding moms

It was quite a shock for Elizabeth, mother of a 4-month-old daughter in Dubai. When she visited several nurseries with the aim of selecting the best one for when she would return to work, she found that very few were supportive of her breastfeeding practice.

“It was as if all mothers had resorted to formula milk and this was the norm now.”

Having delivered her baby in a government hospital in Dubai, she was perpetually educated about the importance to exclusively breastfeed in at least the first 6 months.

“Even the use of a bottle to feed expressed milk was discouraged.”

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has an intensive breastfeeding campaign in place in all of its health centers.

“Breastfeeding is best for babies. Expressed breast milk is the next best option. Babies who are not breastfed may be at higher risk of ill health. Breastfeeding also has health benefits for mothers,” it writes in one of the brochures.

Breastfeeding is known to help prevent babies from developing respiratory illnesses, recurrent ear infections and other health problems.

For mothers, breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, lessens the chances of developing osteoporosis, promotes emotional health, and assists in postpartum weight loss.

Apart from education classes in hospital and health centres new mothers are monitored during the first weeks through lactation consultancy classes, where any problems arisen can be discussed.

“I felt really happy with all this guidance and thought I was on the right track, but I was shocked when I found out that this support network did not exist in other places.”

In order to continue breastfeeding after returning to work, Elizabeth is required to express her milk during the work shift, store the milk and provide it to the caregiver.

“In my search for the best nursery one of my questions was whether they had the facilities do store and prepare this milk. Out of 8 nurseries I visited, only 2 replied confirmative.

“Some stated they would heat the milk in the microwave. This may be suitable for formula milk, but not for mother’s milk. Others had no clue what to do with the milk, thinking it could be dealt with in the same manner as formula milk.

In all nurseries I was told that most mothers, if not all, are relying on formula milk. When I said I would be bringing in expressed mother’s milk, the caregivers responded with surprise.”

In Sharjah the Sharjah Baby-Friendly Emirate’ Campaign (SBFC) has been running since 2012. Beside the health facilities, the SBFC has been extended to include nurseries, public places and workplaces.

“The role of daycare nurseries (caring for babies and toddlers until 2 years) is essential as they are the natural and logical places to empower working mothers to continue breastfeeding their babies. That is why all nurseries in the emirate of Sharjah should become breastfeeding-friendly’,” reads the campaign.

“‘Breastfeeding-Friendly Nurseries’ provide information and support to mothers on how to maintain their milk supply and to continue to breastfeed. They are also a privileged environment to educate children under their care (and their parents) towards restoring a breastfeeding culture,” it continues to explain.

Moreover, there are certain facilities to support continued breastfeeding, such as safe storage and handling of human milk, methods of feeding and designated rooms for mothers to breastfeed or express milk, it explains.

“I am encouraged to bring in expressed milk, and I am happy with the method this is stored and fed to my baby in nursery. However, if I wanted to nurse her during a lunch break it would not be comfortable, as there are no designated areas,” says Judith Nieuwkerk, a Dutch mother living in Dubai.

“I once asked where I could best nurse my daughter. I was appointed a couch in the main hall and assured that no men would be around. I did not even start and a maintenance staff entered the building.

“When I refused to nurse there, I was brought to the area where the babies sleep. As I was expressing my milk, a couple entered on a tour of the nursery. I was able to cover myself but I never felt more ashamed.”

“It is just not the norm anymore,” concluded Elizabeth. “Whenever I complain about a lack of facilities, I am told that it is OK to substitute with formula milk. I do not support this assumption. Why would I substitute when there is nothing wrong with the milk I have?”

There are plenty of reasons women choose formula. Among them are having a baby with a poor sucking reflex (common in premature babies), prolonged mother-infant separation, painful nursing, the fear that your baby isn't getting enough milk, the need to return to work, a health problem that requires medication that's not safe for a nursing infant, and a desire to let other family members help feed the baby, writes Babycenter, a leading baby and motherhood website.

Although in some cases there really is something wrong with the breastmilk or the mother is unable to feed the child, breastmilk does generally not need to be substituted, explained the DHA.

“Breast milk gives your baby the best possible nutrition, protects against infection, and even changes with the needs of your infant (something formula can't do),” it says.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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